Tool for connecting service and main lines



NOV. 5, 1940. J BLACKBURN 2,220,314

TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINES Filed July 15, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet l IJYUENTO HTTOPLJUZY- Nov. 5, 1940- J. BLACKBURN TOOL FORCONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINES Filed July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mTO M w R Bl C if)! (377%7 Nov. 5, 1940 J. BLACKBURN TOOL FOR CONNECTINGSERVICE AND MAIN LINES Filed July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I'MENTOR ATTNov. 5, 1940. J. BLACKBURN TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINESFiled July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M [)1 T m Tm M N wm w S T M M .T B

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAINLINE Jasper Blackburn, Webster Groves, Mo.

Application July 15, 1938, Serial No. 219.367

12 Claims.

This invention relates to tools for the use of linemen in connecting orinstalling electric tap or service lines upon the main or pole to polelines, or for disconnecting such service lines. Such main lines areusually live and are also extended in somewhat unhandy or inaccessiblelocations, so that it would ordinarily be a matter of considerablehazard for a lineman to attempt to join a tap or service line to thelive main line, without the use of some special tool for the purpose.

It is the prime purpose of the present invention therefore to provide aconnecter applying tool whereby a workman'may conveniently and safelyconnect ordisconnect a tap or service line Still another object is toprovide a tool of the kind referred to, the same including a rod havingan insulated handle at one end, an adjuste able chuck or tap holder atthe opposite end, an elongated open frame slidably and rotatably mountedon the shank of the rod below the chuck, the said frame includingoff-set head and foot portions through the latter of which the shank ofthe rod has its slidable and rotatable mounting, means for releasablylocking the chuck to the foot portion of the frame, and means upon thehead portion for releasably engaging and holding a bifurcated andthreaded wire connecter with a service line supported in the slotthereof, whereby the connecter and inserted service line may bepositioned over the main line and the chuck or tap holder thenmanipulated for threading the tap up onto the bolt and clamping theservice and main lines together, after which the tool may be releasedand removed from the work, and whereby the reverse of this operation maylikewise be accomplished.

Still another object is to provide an insulated tool having means forreleasably supporting a bifurcated and threaded bolt connecter andservice line inserted through the slot thereof and a nut supported in aspaced or open relation to the slotted end of the bolt for admitting amain line into said slot, and means for closing the nut over the slottedend and turning same up against the wires passed through the slot of thebolt, for the purpose of connecting the wires, after which the tool maybe removed from the work, the tool being adapted also for the reverse ofthe said operation, to-wit: the disconnecting of a service line from amain line.

With the foregoing objects and purposes in view, attention is directedto the accompanying drawings constituting a part of the specification,and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the tool, the lower end of the handlebeing broken off.

Figure 2 is a frontal elevation of the tool, showing a hinged nut typeof connecter supported therein in open position and a service lineextended through the slot of the connecter, ready for locating theconnecter and service line over the main line shown below the end of theconthe purpose of clamping the service line and main line firmlytogether.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the tool alone.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the tool.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the vertical clamp.

Figure '7 is a similarly enlarged detail of the horizontal clamp,showing however a modified form of rotary cam in lieu of the lever camof preceding form, for operating the clamp plates of the device.

Figure 8 is a detail of a unitary form of connecter including a hingedlyconnected nut or tap, same being the form exemplified in Figure 2 assupported upon the tool.

The tool comprising the subject matter of this invention includes aninsulated handle I of suitable length and upon the outer end of which isrotatably and slidably. mounted an elongated open frame 2. This frame isformed with an open, oblong back portion 2a and head and foot portionsor plates 2b2c. A round hole or aperture 5 is formed through the footplate 20, and a ring or ferrule 6 is welded or otherwise secured inplace over this hole at the outer face ofthe plate. The shank la of thehandle I is rotatably and slidably mounted through the ferrule andaperture, the parts being nicely turned and fitted so that the ferrulewill serve to maintain the handle in an operative axial alignment withthe frame 2 as a whole.

Upon the inner face of the foot plate and at opposite margins of theaperture 5, are'rigidly mounted by welding or the like, a pair ofelongated stops 8 which are undercut or slotted longitudinally as shownat 9, at their oppositely turned ends, so that the slots open in ananti-clockwise direction with reference to a circle drawn through themconcentrically with the aperture 5, and regarding the structure fromabove or at the inner side of the foot-plate 20. This arrangement is fora purpose later to be pointed out.

An elongated chuck head I I is rigidly mounted at the upper end of theshank la, transversely thereof, and this chuck head is formed at eitherend thereof with integral, inset and upstanding lugs Ha upon which arepivotally mounted the chuck jaws l2. For this mounting the jaws areslotted out medially through their, lower ends, as

shown at 12a, so as to fit nicely yet freely over the lugs, to whichthey are then pivotally secured by means of pins l3. The jaws [2 arehollowed out longitudinally on their inner faces, as shown at. 22),while theirouter extremities are formed angularly on a transverse plane,as shown at l2c, in order to facilitate the engagement of a nut or tap.Stops l2d are formed on the inner faces of the jaws below theextremities, to limit the inward movement of a nut or tap between thejaws. An adjustment screw I5 is journaled through the bases of the jaws[2, the head I51: and nut [5b thereof being seated within sockets orrecesses |2e formed in the outer sides ofthe jaws, and an expansion coilspring I6 is then seated over this screw inside the jaws and is bracedat its ends against the jaws so as normally tend to throw the jaws openor asunder. The degree of separation or opening of the jaws may thus bereadily regulated by means of this screw 5, for adapting the tool totaps of various size.

Thin and fiat lugs I! are extended at opposite sides of the oppositeends of the chuck head II,

and at the lower face thereof, in which location the lugs are adapted toengage the slots 9 .of the stops 8, as the handle I and attached chuckhead H are rotated in a clock-wise direction, regarding the assemblyfrom above the foot plate 20. By this operation the lugs I1 becomewedged firmly within the slots 9, and the handle and chuck areoperatively locked to the frame 2, as is necessary in the operation ofthe tool, as will later appear. I

From the under side of the inturned head portion 212 there isdepended'by means of screws I8l8a, an elongated, rectangular head blockl9, out out medially through its rear upper corner to provide a springand lug recess l9a, and the head plate 2b is formed with a slot 2dopening down into this recess and extended diagonally towards a rearcorner of the head plate. Also a pair of spaced bores lab are formedperpendicularly through the head block Hi, from top to bottom thereof,the said bores also piercing through the headplate 2b. Bolts 2| areslidably passed down through these bores, the lower ends of the boltsbeing rigidly anchored in a press plate 22,,

' turned onto the threaded ends above the bridge plate. The bolts 2| arereduced at their upper portions, whereby medial shoulders 2|b areprovided, and expansion coil springs 24 are seated over these upper endsof the bolts their ends being braced between the shoulders 2lb and theunder side of the head block I9, as clearly shown in Figure 6. Thus thenormal-action of the springs is to force'the press plate 22 downward. Aslender latch lever 26 is pivoted at one end 26a to the screw I 8 whilethe other end is extended across the top of the head plate 2b, theextremity of the lever being upturned to provide a finger piece 26b. Alatch lug 260 extends upwardly from the lever 26, spaced inwardly fromthe pivoted end 26a and being so located and dimension as to pass inunder the bridge piece 23 and between the upper ends of the bolts 2|when the bridge piece is raised upward from the plate 21). Thus the lug26c normally functions tomaintain the bridge piece 23, as well as thepress plate 22 in an elevated position, until these elements arereleased by pulling the latch 26 rearwardly and so withdrawing the lug260 from under the .bridge piece 23. When this is done the plate 22 ofcourse flies downward to the extent of its limit of movement asdetermined by the length of the bolts 2|. In order to facilitate thewithdrawal of the latch lug 260 from beneath the bridge piece a lug 26dis depended from the lower side ofthe lever 26 through the slot 212 ofthe plate- 2b and down into the recess l9a of the head block 19. Aretractile coil spring 29 is then stretched between this lug'and therearcorner off the plate. 2b 'inalignment with the slot 2d; By thisarrangement although the frictional hold of the bridge piece ,23 underthe action of the springs 24' upon the lug 26cwillnormally serve to holdsame in p'lace'under the bridge piece, only a veryfslight' pressure ofthe finger? willsufiice to release same when desired.

A pair ofwide thin clamping plates 3 I3 la are depended from the rear.and frontal sides of the head block l9. These'plates are'cutout mediallyin a stepped mannerso as to provideupper and relatively narrow openings-32 and .lower and relatively wide openings 3211., the openingsbei'ngdefined by the' laterally aligned shoulders 321), the latter beingconvexed outwardly as shown to form wire gripping jaws, while thependant margins 33 of the lower and wider openings ar'e'fiared apart asshown, to facilitate the operation of the tool as will appear'in' thedescription of the mode of operation. .The upper'. opening 32 of therear plate 3|v extends somewhat higher than water the frontal plate am,for a purpose later to ap pear. The rear plate 3| is rigidly secured bywelding or otherwise to the head block, the me'thodhere shown being bymeans of screws 35, while the-'frontal plate 3la. is loosely mountedthereon by the screws 35a passed freely through apertures 3lb formedthrough the upper margin of this plate in a laterally spaced relation.'Thus the frontal clamp plate may be moved towards or from the rearplate in the use of the tool and for the purpose of engaging andgripping thewires, and as will be later more fully pointed out.

' A fiat leaf spring 31 is secured at its widened upper end to'the uppermargin of the back of the open' frame 2 .bymeans of spaced plates 38secured by screws 39 over the'lateral margins of:

clearly shown in Figure 5 at: 31w, this 'end being convexed forwardly oroutwardlyas shown. This spring is primarily designedfor use in'a unitarytypeof bifurcated conneoter having a nut and washer assemblyhingedlyconnected by one margin to' one-leg of the'connecter, and thespring would not benecessaryfexcept with this type, or

one substantially similar. An operating aperture:3'|b-is cut through theupper end ofxthe leaf' spring, inside ofrthem'a'rg'ins of the openback'2a of the frame, and a box housing. 4t is mounted over this aperture atthe inner and forward face of the frame, there beinga bore. 49a formedthrough the forward wall of this housing. Av bore 3| c is formedmedially, throughthe upper margin of the plate 3 la immediately over theupper opening 32 and in fore and aft alignment with the bore 40a of thehousing 40, and an expansion coil spring 4| is thenbraced between thehousing 4i] and plate 3 la, the ends of the spring being positioned overthe said bores 3 lo and41la, the normal action of which spring is toforce'the plates 3i3ia asunder.

A bolt 42 is provided, the same having a bifurcated and elongated shank43 rigidlyjoin'ed to and extended axially from the rear end of the bolt,with the prongs or forks 43a thereof opening rearwardly in axialalignment-with the bolt. A plate 44 of a width to fit betweenthe plates38, and pierced with a pair of parallel slots 4411 defined by a centralrib 44b and thus adapted to slidably engage the said prongs 43a, ismounted by its slots over the said prongs of the bolt shank. Areversible cam and lever unit 45, having a substantially rectangular camhead 45a, and curved handle 45?) is pivotally mounted between the prongs43a of the shank 43 by means of a pin 45c passed through the outer endsof the prongs and the predetermined inner margin of the cam head 45awhen the handle 4% is turned downwardly, as shown in full lines inFigure 5. The adjacent outer or upper corn r of the cam head is roundedoff as shown at 45d to facilitate the action of the head. With theelements thus assembled the bolt 42 is thrust from the rear of theframe, through the housing 4i bore dim, spring fill and bore Sic, andthe plate 44 is seated between the spaced side plates 38.

A sleeve nut 47 with kerfed head 41a and having a heavy coil spring 48mounted thereon, is threadedly turned upon the forward protruding end ofthe bolt 42, the ends of the spring 48 being braced between the head 41aand the face of the frontal clamping plate am, at the margin of the boreBic. Thus by turning up or loosening the nut 41, the tension of the camhead 45a upon the rear clamp plate 3! may be regulated as desired. Itwill be noted that with the cam unit 45 mounted as shown in Figure 5,with the handle 45?) turned downwardly, an upward push upon this handleoperates to press the rounded corner 55d of the cam head inwardlyagainst the rib 44b of the slotted plate 44, thereby drawing the bolt 42and frontal clamping plate 3la inwardly'toward the rear plate 3|, forthe purpose of clamping together wires positioned between the jaws 3%.In this arrangement the handle 45?) would be pulled inwardly ordownwardly for the purpose of opening the jaws and releasing the wiresby of a cord 49 attached to and extended from the handle to the hand ofthe operator.

On the other hand, by merely reversing the mounting of the cam and leverunit 45, by withdrawing the pin 45c and turning the handle 4% cedure inthe process of making connection-of a service line to a main line, andthe latter procedure in theprocess of disconnecting a service line fromthe main line. The applying positioning of the elements is indicated infull lines in Figure 5,v and the disconnecting positioning is shown indotted lines in thesame figure.

Of course, the reversing offthe'mounting of the cam and lever unit inthe form described requires a little time, and to avoid this a rotarycam unit might be employed, such as illustrated in Figure 7. Here thehousing 40 is dispensed with, as is also the bolt shank 43, thegrear endof the bolt 42 being journaled straight through a circular cam element50 having a beveled rear face 534:, and being secured by screws 5! orotherwise to the rear face of the frame back 2a. A complemental camelement 52 is then rigidly anchored to the outer extended end of thebolt 42, this element having an inner beveled face 52a. exactly equaland corresponding to the beveled face 50a of the element 59. A wheel orpulley 53 is rigidly mounted concentrically at the outer side of the camelement 52, and the. cam elements are so closely associated that anyrotation of the Wheel 53 in either direction will operate to cause thebeveled faces of the elements to slide or climb up one over the other,thus drawing the bolt @2 back rearwardly and contracting and drawingtogether the clamp plates iii-3hr, similarly as already described. Acord tea is given a couple of turns around the pulley 53, whereby therotary cam may be rotated in either direction for opening or closing theplates 3l--3|a, in the use of the tool.

Now describing the use of the tool with the hinged nut type of connecter55 shown in Figure 8, the handle I and chuck head H are first rotatedclock-wise for the purpose of wedging the lugs ll within the slots 9,whereby the handle press plate is held to its elevated position. The:

cam unit (l5 is also released for allowing the plates Lil-31a and thejaws 32b to open apart. The service line 56 is then inserted withintheslot 55d of the connecter, the connecter 55 is next positioned withinthe lower openings of the plates 3l-3ia and back against the leaf spring31 with the nut and washer unit 550 turned downward vertically orparallel with =thelongitudinal axis of the connecter, in which positionthis unit is held by the outward lateral pressure of the spring againstthe unit, pressing same against the leg of the connecter to which it ishinged, as illustrated in Figure 8, and the cam unit 45 is operated bypushing up the handle G5!) which forces the cam head 45a inwardly, thusdrawing the jaws 32b inwardly and clamping the service line betweenthem. Thus the entrance slot 55d is unobstructed for the entrance of themain line'5'l as will be explained. The latch lever 26 is next pulledrearwardly for releasing the press plate 22, which then drops down uponthe head 55b of the connecter, forcing the head into firm contact withthe service line held in the jaws 325. Thus the line of pressure of theplate 22 upon the head of the connecter is perpendicular to the line ofpressure of the jaws 32b upon the service line, and both the connecterand line are firmly held in place on the tool. When the service line 56is at both sides ready to be engaged by the jaws 3% as same are drawntogether. The tool is then extended and the connecter positionedastraddle the main line which passes up through the slot 55d against theservice line and simultaneously within the flared margins 33 of theplates 3 l-3 I a.

' Thus the service and main lines extend through the said flared margins33 and are maintained in alignment thereby in the further operation ofthe tool, and kinking and twisting are prevented in the wires under therotative torque of the tool in theoperation of turning the nut upon thebolt connecter.

The foregoing preliminaries being completed, the handle I of the tool isrotated in an anti clockwise direction, always regarding the assemblyfrom above the bottom or foot plate 20, for the purpose of freeing thelugs I! from the stops 8. The handle I is then pushed upwardly throughthe frame 2 and one of the opened jaws I2 is brought into contact withthe nut and washer assembly 550 and incidentally the leaf spring 31also. The lateral pressure of this spring is thus removed from bearingupon the nut and washer assembly, whereupon the latter swings outwardlysomewhat and permits the two jaws I2 to be worked thereunder for forcingsame up against the end of the connecter and ready to be turnedthereupon. In other words and as will be seen from an inspection of theassembly of Figure 8, the center of gravity of the nut and washer unit550 would normally pull this unit angularly outward from the strictlyvertical alignment shown in the drawing, and to which it is resilientlyheld by the pressure of the spring 31 against its upper margin. Thus,

when the spring 31 is pushed back by the upward movement of the jaws l2,the unit 550 swings angularly out partially over the jaws 12, one ofwhich may then be worked under the unit to push it up into a horizontalposition, after which the unit may be operatively engaged between thejaws for threading upon the connector. The handle of the tool is thenrotated a turn or two in a clock-wise direction to enable the jaws l2 toengage the nut and washer assembly and for aligning the leading threadsof the latter with the corresponding threads of the bolt connecter,after which by rotating the handle and jaws and the engaged nut in ananticlockwise direction (always regarding the assembly from above), thenut and washer assembly may be readily turned upon the bolt connecter,until the formeris pressed firmly up against the two wires 56-51, forlocking them together and completing the electrical connection. A pullupon the cord 49 then releases the cam lever unit 45, permitting thespring 4| to force the plates 3 l3la asunder for releasing the tool fromthe joined wires and the connecter. This tool may then of course bereadily withdrawn from the work.

For the purpose of reversing the described operation, as fordisconnecting a service line from a main line, the positioning of thecam lever unit 45 would be reversed and the handle 45?) would be turnedupwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5. In this position theplates 3l3la and jaws 32b would stand open, and by means of the handlethe jaws 32b and flared margins are set over the-joined service and mainlines im- 'mediately overthe connecter 55 and with the press plate 22bearing on the'head of the connecter. The handle is then drawn downwardor inward'causing the plate 22 to move outwardly and bringing the jaws3217 into engagement with the service line 56 as same rests atop themainline 51. When the elements are thus properly located with respect toeach other, a pull upon the cord 49 serves to clamp the jaws 32b uponthe service line, after which the handle and chuck ll may be manipulatedto engage the nut and washer unit of the connecter for unturning samefrom the connecter and freeing the wires so that the service line may bewithdrawn. An upward push by a pole or rod (not shown) against the leverhandle 451) then serves to release the plates 3l-3la and jaws 32 and theservice line may be pulled away and the tool'removed from the work. Inlieu of the cam and lever unit 45 just described and which requiresreversing in position-for installing or re.- moving a service line upona main line, the form of rotary cam unit shown in Figure 7 might beemployed, same comprising the circular, beveled and complemental camelements 50 and 52, mounted and operated as already described.

While the foregoing description relates to a tool adapted for use with abifurcated or slotted connecter having a nut and washer unit hingedlyconnected to one of the legs thereof, and which form of connecterrequiresthe use of the spring 31 or some equivalent means formaintaining the nut and washer unit in open relation to the connecter tofacilitate the entrance of the main line, it is .to be understood thatthe same tool may be used with other types of bifurcated and threadedconnecters provided with taps or nuts to close over the slot of thebolt. In fact the tool may be used with the slotted form of boltconnecter wherein the nut is designed for complete removal andseparation from the bolt for the purpose of admitting wires into theslot. In such case the nut would be separately positioned within thejaws of the chuck, ready for turning upon the connecter after the latterwith service line inserted were properly looked upon the frame of thetool in the manner already described. It is obvious that in such use thespring 31 may be dispensed with entirely. Neither is the latch 26 anesentialfeature of the invention. The cardinal features of the inventionconsist of a suitable handle with a frame slidably and rotatably mountedat one end and with releasable means for locking the two againstrelative rotation, there being clamping means on the frame for looking abifurcated connecter in substantial axial alignment with the handle thesaid clamping means being also releasable, the said clamping meansincluding means for looking a service wire within the slot of theconnecter, means at the end of the handle at the frame for supporting atap in spaced axial alignment with the open end of the connecter readyfor turning thereupon after the connecter and inserted service line havebeen hooked over the main line, and means upon the assembly forsupporting same upon the main line with spaced bearings thereupon, forbracing the assembly and preventing the lines from turning orkinkingunder torque applied to the handle in the operation of turningthe tap.

And while I have herein set forth and described a certain concreteembodiment of the invention, together with certain specific structuralfeatures thereof, it is understood that I may'make such changes oralterations as may elO be deemed expedient for the purpose ofperfectingthe tooland renderingsame perhaps more practicable in use, not departinghowever from the essence of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. I

I claim:

1. A tool for connecting or disconnecting a serivce line to a main linethrough use of a bifurcated or slotted,bolt connecter having a nutthreadable over the slot of the bolt for clamping the wires together,the .tool: comprising a handle, a frame rotatably and slidably mountedat one end of the handle, releasable means for locking the two stifliy.together in utmost ex tended axial relation through relative rotation,releasable clamping means on the frame for supporting the connecter withthe service line inserted in the slot thereof in substantial alignmentwith the handle, and a chuck head and jaws on the end of the handle forsupporting a nut in operative and spaced alignment with the connecter,whereby the main line may be entered into the slot of the connecteragainst the service line and the handle then rotated to turn the nutupon the connecter for clamping the wires together, the reverseoperation of the tool serving to disconnect the wires.

2. A tool for connecting or disconnecting a service and main line by useof a bifurcated or slotted bolt connecter having a nut threadable overthe slot of the bolt for clamping the wires together, the toolcomprising a handle, a frame rotatably and slidably mounted at one endof the handle, releasable means for locking the two stifliy together inutmost extended axial relation by relative rotation to facilitate itsuse, releasable clamping means on the frame for supporting the serviceline with the connecter positioned thereover, separate releasableclamping means on the frame for forcing the head of the connecter downupon the service line, and adjustable means on the end of the handle forsupporting a nut in spaced and operative alignment with the open end ofthe connecter, whereby the main line may be entered into the slot of theconnecter against the service line and the handle then shoved inwardlyand rotated to turn the nut upon the connecter for clamping the wirestogether, the tool being reversibly operated for disconnecting thewires.

3. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, a supporting frameslidably and rotatably mounted at one end of the handle, the framehaving head and foot portions turned to one side, means supported fromthe head portion for releasably clamping a bifurcated wire connecterwith service line inserted in the slot thereof, in axial alignment withthe handle, adjustable chuck jaws at the same end of the handle carryingthe frame for adjustably and releasably supporting a nut in spaced andoperative alignment with the open end of the connecter, latches operablethrough relative rotation of handle and frame for releasably lockingsame together in utmost axial extension, whereby the ccnnecter may belocated over a main line, and then by rotation and inward movement ofthe handle the nut may be turned upon the connecter for clamping thewires together, this operation being reversed for the purpose ofdisconnecting the wires.

4. In a tool of the kind described, an elongate frame having head andfoot portions turned right-angularly to one side thereof, the footportion having a guide aperture therethrough, a handle passed slidablyand rotatably through 5 theiaperturefan adjustable tap holder" at theinner end of 'thefhan'dle' and over-lying the margins of the ferrule,means dependent on relative rotation of handle and frame for rel'easablylocking the twostifliy together with the handle drawn fully outward,means' depended inwardly from the head portion for releasably clamping aservice line at two spaced points with a bifurcated'bolt connectorsuspended thereon between these points in operative axial alignment withthehandle and tap holder, separat'e releasable means for pressing thehead of the connector upon-the inserted service line, and-meanssupported on the frame outwardly of and in alignment'with the serviceline clamping meansjfor engaging a main line for steadying the ,toolinuse.

5. In a tool of thekind described, a handle, an elongate frame slidablyand 'rotatably mounted at anend of the hand1e,means at the same end ofthe handle for releasably holding a tap, means functioning throughrotation of the handle relative to the frame for releasably locking thetwo together, spaced service-wire clamping jaws extended inwardly at theopposite end of the frame, a spring set draw-bolt passed through thejaws and frame, means at the back of the frame enaging the protruded endof the bolt for drawing same back to close the jawsupon an insertedservice line, and means for forcing down the head of a bifurcated boltconnector upon'the service line whereon it issuspended between the saidwire clamping jaws.

6. In a structure as defined in claim 5, means supported on the framefor engaging a main line at lateral points for 'steadying to tool inoperation.

7. In a tool of the kind described in claim 5, a leaf spring dependedfrom the back of the frame, its lower end being extended inwardly andadapted to bear upon the hingedly connected tap of a unitary form ofconnector for holding same open for reception of a main line.

8. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, an elongated frame havinginturned ends the same being rotatably and slidably mounted through oneend upon an end of the handle,

a tap-holding chuck-head at the end of the handle within the frame,co-operating elements on the chuck-head and frame for releasably lockingby relative rotation the handle and frame together in out-most extended,axial relation, pairs of superposed, laterally spaced, oppositelyaligned and adjustable tap-wire gripping jaws depended from the oppositeinturned end of the frame, releasable means for closing these jaws uponan inserted tap-wire, and releasable means for supporting a bifurcatedbolt connector astraddle the tap-wire between the said jaws, forlocating same by means of the handle, upon a main wire, whereby a tapreleasably held by the chuck in alignment below may be raised andmounted upon the connector for joining the tap and main lines, and thetool then removed, and whereby an installed connector may be removedfrom the Wires by reversing the operation.

9. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, an elongate framerotatably and slidably mounted at one side of the frame to slidelongitudinally there along, a tap-holder at the end of the handle at theframe adapted to releasably hold, a tap, co-operating elements on thereleasable means for closing the jaws upon an inserted tap-wire, andreleasable means for supporting a bifurcated bolt connector astraddlethe tap-wire between the jaws in operative alignment with a tapreleasably held by the tap holder, whereby the tap line may be appliedto a main line by setting the connector also astraddle the w main line,releasing the handle to slide the tap nector astraddle thetap-wirecomprising a spring-setpress-plate movable mounted on the frame andadapted releasably to press down upon thehead of the connector forforcing it to the wire.

12. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, a frame slidably mountedat one end of the handle, means for releasably locking the frame andhandle fixedly together, spaced service-wire clamping jaws extendedinwardly at the opposite' end of the frame, a draw-bolt passed'slidablythrough the jaws and frame, means on the frame for forcing the boltrearward for closing the jaws upon an inserted service line, and meansfor forcing down the head of a bifurcated bolt connector upon theservice line whereon it is suspended between said wire clamping jaws.

- JASPER BLACKBURN.

